Advanced LEAP-1A engines today successfully completed a five-hour, 29-minute first flight powering the new Airbus A321neo, paving the way for delivery of the first LEAP engines on the largest member of the A320neo family in 2017.

The LEAP engine began flight tests on the A320neo variant in May 2015 and has logged more than 1,000 engine hours to date on more than 200 flights to support aircraft certification and first delivery in mid-2016. The engine received joint U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency certification in November 2015.

"We could not be happier with the LEAP engine and are proud of the many 'firsts' such as today's flight it has powered throughout the A320neo flight test program,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. "We have confirmed that the engine is meeting its performance specifications, and the reliability and durability it has exhibited throughout testing is a glowing testament to the professionalism and expertise of the team that is bringing this product to market. We can't wait to begin introducing it to our customers later this year. On behalf of the entire CFM team, I congratulate Airbus on the continued success of the A320 family flight test program. "